Zackary P.
Yelp
INTRO: A cafe during the day, a hip bar at night. It's honestly the best of both worlds. Footnote Coffee & Cocktails has everything that you're searching for. There is a parking lot in the back that can accomodate more than 50 cars, so you won't ever have to worry about parking here, which is fairly rare for a coffee shop in downtown Winston-Salem. The venue itself has a chill, hipster atmosphere while also maintaining the studious vibe for people looking to buckle down and grind on their computers. There are multiple tables scattered throughout the cafe, although not every table has easily accessible outlets to charge electronic devices. There is a bookstore connected to Footnote, but I didn't have time to check them out. Footnote also hosts various events throughout the week, including local band performances and spoken word. Take a look at their social media accounts for more information!
DRINK 1: Winter Coffee Flight ($15) - #1 Peppermint mocha, #2 egg nog latte, #3 sweet cream cold brew, #4 holiday chai. The peppermint mocha was the best one out of these four drinks. The rich, deep mocha flavor balanced perfectly with the refreshing, crisp peppermint flakes. Normally, the mocha has the potential to be overpowering, but Footnotes did a fantastic job of finding the perfect ratio. The whipped cream on top is something that should be added to all of the drinks of the flight, but unfortunately, it is solely dedicated to the peppermint mocha. Make sure to mix your drink because the peppermint mocha comes beautifully layered. The egg nog latte was surprisingly tasty and definitely more creamier than I anticipated. Even if you're not a fan of egg nog, I highly recommend trying this drink. The sweet cream cold brew tasted exactly how it sounds. Be sure to mix this drink thoroughly to evenly distribute the sweet cream in the cold brew or else you'll be wondering why the cold brew tastes bland. I wasn't a fan of the holiday chai at all. If you enjoy drinking watered down chai, then you'll like this drink. I was honestly debating whether I should've poured this down the sink or not. Overall, 7/10
DRINK 2: Liquor Coffee Cordial Flight ($18) - #1 Bailey's Irish cream, #2 amaretto di amor, #3 southern star bourbon cream, #4 frangelico hazelnut liqueur. The Bailey's Irish cream is exactly how you envision it. The rich, creamy flavor of the Bailey's blends perfectly with the coffee. It's basically boozy creamer when you think about it. I feel like everyone should try using Bailey's in their coffees at least once in their lifetimes. The amaretto di amor embraced the unique flavor of the amaretto and showcased it proudly. If you're not a fan of amaretto, you probably won't enjoy this drink. For those who have never tried amaretto, it has distinct almond flavor with subtle cherry undertones. The southern star bourbon cream tasted extremely bland until I mixed it thoroughly. Although bourbon is in the name of the drink, I was really struggling to find the bourbon flavor, so don't get your hopes up. The frangelico hazelnut liqueur was terrible. It tastes like you're eating undercooked almonds. It almost made me want to go home to brush my teeth. Overall, 6.5/10
DRINK 3: Butterscotch latte - This drink is a MUST GET. It has the deep, toasted caramel flavor without the overwhelming sweetness of a Butterfingers. After your first sip, I guarantee that your soul will feel a newfound sense of warmth and peace, as if you're getting embraced by a merry Santa Claus. 9/10
WORTH IT? YES! Footnotes is one of the few coffee shops in Winston-Salem that offers not only regular coffee flights but also holiday coffee flights and boozy coffee flights. Even if you don't get one of their flights, I recommend trying either their peppermint mocha or butterscotch latte if you're in the holiday spirit. Try them while you still can!